Warm Up This Winter

As we settle into winter, I find that my taste for certain foods and beverages changes with the drop in temperature. The last thing I feel like right now is a cold salad with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. I want warm, hearty meals that I can enjoy with bold and full red wines or rich and full white wines. I would even venture into the world of beer and experiment with some winter-appropriate, weighty Porters, Stouts and Bocks that just seem to be made with the cold weather in mind. Check out our extensive selection of wonderful local beers or try one of our unique imports like Anchor Porter, Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout and Ayinger Celebrator Double Bock.

So, rather than cursing the inevitable, why don’t we welcome winter as a time to cozy up by a fire with a bowl of stew and a glass of spicy Shiraz and actually relax a little bit. Here are some wines that I’ll be drinking to ward off the doldrums this time of year:

Specifically the New World style that packs a punch with intense aromas and flavours of dark fruit and spice. The round full texture and sweet spicy quality of this grape and style makes it a perfect partner to a hearty chili after an afternoon skate on the Halifax Oval.

Though they are enormously popular, I usually find Zins a little too juicy and sweet for my likening but I have to say that with the right food, this grape can really hit the spot. You’d be amazed at how delicious Zinfandel can taste alongside a bowl of homemade Mac & Cheese when you ramp up the flavours with a mix of blue, sharp cheddar and Parmigiano. Yum!

These and similar blends such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape (if you want to splurge) or Languedoc reds (if you want to save) from France are sure to warm one up with their ripe fruit character, sweet and peppery spices and woodsy, animal notes. If you don’t have the good fortune of enjoying this in a French Alpine chalet (I wish!) you can always prepare a pot of cassoulet and pretend that you are!

There is a “je ne c’est quoi” about certain South African red wines that makes me want to drink them in the winter with root vegetables and slowly roasted meats. South African wines can be layered and complex, falling somewhere in the middle in terms of old world and new world wine styles.

Jenny’s love of food, craft beer, wine, and people has taken her around the world. Day to day, you’ll rarely find her without her notebook and a to-do list. Jenny manages the Bishop’s Cellar brand, community and all our marketing endeavours- drawing on her extensive experience in community engagement, major event/festival management and freelance writing. She aims to find, craft and share incredible behind-the-scenes stories for every bottle on our shelves.

When she isn’t cooking up new marketing strategies, managing the Bishop’s Cellar eCommerce or bringing fun events to life for Bishop’s Cellar, you’ll find Jenny in the kitchen with family and friends, running around in the great outdoors with her dog or planning her next travel adventure.

Certifications: Jenny is a CAPS-certified sommelier and WSET Level 3 certified. She’s always on the hunt for perfect food and wine pairings.

From the vineyard to your table. Tucked away on Halifax’s historic waterfront, Bishop’s Cellar has been providing world class wines to Nova Scotians since 2003. Our wine world begins with the farmer. We source our wine primarily from small farm wineries, where extra care in growing their grapes and producing top quality wines are the focus.